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Melvin's first challenge comes on play at plate

4/2/14: The A's challenge an out called at the plate in the 2nd inning, and after a review the play stands

By Jane Lee
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MLB.com |

OAKLAND -- A's manager Bob Melvin is 0-for-1 under the new replay system. His first official challenge came on a second-inning call at the plate, which was eventually upheld.

With Oakland leading 2-0, home plate umpire Mark Wegner called Derek Norris out at the plate on Josh Donaldson's fielder's-choice groundball, a close call that had Melvin running out of the dugout not too long after -- but long enough to put into question whether it was still reviewable.

Once it was decided that it was, it was announced that the ruling stood because of "inconclusive evidence." The review lasted 4 minutes and 45 seconds.

"I got a late call on it, and I didn't think I would potentially be able to pull it off because Jed [Lowrie] was starting to get in the box," said Melvin. "It was allowed, and it's becoming pretty clear that unless it's obvious, they're not going to overturn it. It was close, but we had him as safe."

"I thought my foot got in there," said Norris. "I didn't feel him tagging me until my foot touched home. But they said it was inconclusive. They're up there looking at it as slow as possible, trying to get the best call, but it is what it is."

The bigger concern at day's end was the time it took for the call to be made.

"If that's how long the replay is going to take," Indians manager Terry Francona said, "there's probably going to be some issues. Hopefully they can figure out a way to make it quicker than that one. That took away from the flow of the game, and I think that's what they're trying to avoid."

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.